LANDLORDS are being encouraged to help prevent homelessness as part of a £100,000 pilot project.

Test Valley Borough Council is calling on landlords and tenants to contact the authority when difficulties arise in a bid to prevent escalation that could lead to homelessness.

The housing team at Beech Hurst provides free services to landlords, including tenant finding and vetting processes, along with other advice aimed at helping tenancies be successful.

Portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, Councillor Phil Bundy said: “Landlords can really benefit from the help and support of the council’s housing team. To help us prevent homelessness, we are urging landlords to contact us before issuing any eviction notice to give us an opportunity to understand how we may be able to help.

“Of course, if a tenancy must end, we want to make sure we can avoid homelessness being the result. Our first priority will always be to ensure that both the interests of the landlord and the tenant are protected and to get tenancies onto a sustainable footing."

The council’s services are open to anyone living with family or friends, renting privately or renting from a local housing association.

Those who own all or part of their home can also access support.

A walk-in service is available Monday to Friday from 9am until 12pm and from 2pm until 4pm at the council's Andover offices and the Former Magistrates Court in Romsey.

Private landlords can also contact rentdepositteam@testvalley.gov.uk.